Here's a brief explanation of the most common forms of boilers, to assist you in making the right choice when installing, or getting repairs on, a boiler in your home.

Back Boilers

Back Boilers are infamous for taking up space and can be found hidden away behind gas fires. The newer models of back boilers have the benefit of being more advanced, therefore having much more performance and efficiency. Some models feature an electronic ignition, saving you having to bend down to light them.

Combination-condensing High Efficiency Boilers

Combination boilers produce an immediate supply of hot water any time of the day or night ie the system does not store hot water, but rather heats water as you use it. A combination boiler has no cylinder, tank or connecting pipework, so it reduces your hot water costs, and saves space in your home.

Conventional boilers

Conventional boilers are the more traditional systems that heat up a store of water before you use them. They makes use of a storage tank to supply a continuous flow of hot water. This set up is ideal for homes with more than one bathroom, whereas a combi-boiler would not cope with the hot water demand. There are several other advantages to this system:

• The property could be extended, adding another bathroom, or bigger kitchen, without impacting on the hot water in the existing outlets.
• Shower pumps can be added to greater flow and pleasure of use.
• Bath spas and Jacuzzis can be added as well.

One of the best advantages of this system is the ability to add solar panels to cater for the hot water. Solar panels can be connected to the storage cylinder to provide hot water during 11 months of the year!